JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Members of Joint Base Andrews joined the Air Force Office of Special Investigations community mourn the passing of a fellow Airman during tragic events in Afghanistan in late April.
Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Jacobsen, commander, Air Force Office of Special Investigations announced April 29, the death of a female OSI Airman who was deployed in support of NATO Air Training Command in Afghanistan.
Master Sgt. Tara R. Brown, 33, of Deltona, Fla., died Apr. 26 near Kabul, Afghanistan of wounds sustained from an Afghan gunman who also killed seven other Airmen as well as an American civilian contractor in a shooting spree in the Afghan Air Force compound in Kabul, officials said.
"We mourn the loss of a fellow Airman and a valued member of our team here at Joint Base Andrews," said Col. Ken Rizer, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander. "Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this brave Airman."
Prior to January, Master Sgt. Brown was assigned as the non-commissioned officer in charge, client support technician for Headquarters Air Force Office of Special investigations Personnel Division at Joint Base Andrews.
Master Sgt. Brown was deployed to Afghanistan on Jan. 3, 2011, and was serving a one-year tour with NATO Air Training Command as an international trainer on the basic fundamentals on desktop computers and networking to Afghan air force technicians.
According to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, an Afghan military pilot opened fire on international troops.
The loss of Sergeant Brown is felt all throughout the OSI community, and particularly in the headquarters where she worked, according to General Jacobsen.
"We not only lost a brave Airman who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, but we lost a good friend who was always able to lift our spirits," he said. "Tara's contagious smile and loving spirit brightened our lives - she will remain in our hearts and memories forever."
Master Sgt. Brown's memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on 9 May Andrews' Chapel 1. For those attending, military members are required to be in service dress while civilian members should be in appropriate business attire.
Base flags will be flown at half-staff the day of the memorial in honor of Master Sgt. Brown.